"By a divine instinct men's minds mistrust / Ensuing danger, as by proof we see / The water swell before a boist'rous storm."
— Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)
Work Title
Date
1597
Metaphor
"By a divine instinct men's minds mistrust / Ensuing danger, as by proof we see / The water swell before a boist'rous storm."
Metaphor in Context
THIRD CITIZEN
When clouds are seen, wise men put on their cloaks;
When great leaves fall, then winter is at hand;
When the sun sets, who doth not look for night?
Untimely storms make men expect a dearth.
All may be well, but if God sort it so
'Tis more than we deserve, or I expect.
SECOND CITIZEN
Truly the hearts of men are full of fear.
You cannot reason almost with a man
That looks not heavily and full of dread.
THIRD CITIZEN
Before the days of change still is it so.
By a divine instinct men's minds mistrust
Ensuing danger, as by proof we see
The water swell before a boist'rous storm.
But leave it all to God. Whither away?
(II.iii.32-45)
When clouds are seen, wise men put on their cloaks;
When great leaves fall, then winter is at hand;
When the sun sets, who doth not look for night?
Untimely storms make men expect a dearth.
All may be well, but if God sort it so
'Tis more than we deserve, or I expect.
SECOND CITIZEN
Truly the hearts of men are full of fear.
You cannot reason almost with a man
That looks not heavily and full of dread.
THIRD CITIZEN
Before the days of change still is it so.
By a divine instinct men's minds mistrust
Ensuing danger, as by proof we see
The water swell before a boist'rous storm.
But leave it all to God. Whither away?
(II.iii.32-45)
Categories
Provenance
HDIS
Citation
Shakespeare, William. The Complete Works. Oxford Shakespeare. Electronic Edition for the IBM PC. Stanley Wells and Gary Taylor, Editor.
Date of Entry
08/07/2003
